N’Dambi Siva is an emerging photographer that received the first camera as a gift from a close personal friend at age twenty-two during a road trip from California to Texas.  With that chance that was available, this just happened to be every day.  To this day, Siva still owns and actively uses that camera, and draws great inspiration from James Van Der Zee, Roy Decarava and Carla Williams. Ukweli (Swahili for “Fact”) is the first semi-nude/nude series of Siva’s young career, which focuses on the raw imperfections of people’s perfect selves. Shot with digital and film cameras (And even...

A word to the wise:  Never, ever tell 34 year-old model/actress Jay Faabulousone that she cannot do certain genres in modeling or acting because of her size.  She will make you eat your words by showing you that she can and will take it to the next level.  Jay makes it known that she is unapologetically proud of the skin she is in and her full-figure will not deter her from her goals. The 5’10” curvaceous Philly stunner is a chameleon when it comes to her modeling.   Artistic nudes, beauty, erotic, fashion, runway, commercial…this lady does it all and with a smile on her lovely mocha...

Like the phoenix, I rose up from the ashes of my self-destruction.  I was reborn anew to manifest this life better than before.  Heartbreak, betrayal, fear, and depression nearly ended my life.  There were countless times where I thought, “If I could just disappear, I truly would.  I don’t want to go through this pain.” I looked to people and things to make me happy, excited to be alive, and to feel beautiful, only for it to be a temporary fix.  I craved to have some kind of approval from others to have them tell me that I’m a good person, a loving, caring individual, if I’m talented...

It was like a ritual. Clutching ropes tied to wooden planks, earthBrotha SkyHy and earthSista Angelica, danced around each other in an awkward strutting peacock sort of way. Momentary respect gives way to intense curiosity and attraction. Walls tumble down as ginger embraces become bold, welcome intrusions. Awkward moments become warm comfortable embraces filled with smiles and laughter. He kisses her shoulders. He kisses her breasts. And on these swings in the public where anyone may pass, SkyHy and Angelica drop all walls, boldly and proudly baring their brown bodies to one another. In the heat...

Midnight Erotica celebrated the art of Afrocentric sensuality or Afrosensuality. In the days and weeks to come, much discussion will be had regarding what Afrosensuality means because it definition plays a huge part in culture of the Pangea’s Garden. And in a way Midnight Erotica was a reflection of that influence. As the evening progressed that hot night in August, the patrons who had surveyed the visual gallery of black eros paintings, sculptures, drawings and photography, settled down to listen to the passionate, provocative verse of the various spoken word artists. earthSista AlleyCat...

Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012 ) By theGrio 8:07 PM on 02/11/2012 The Associated Press is reporting that iconic and troubled singer, Whitney Houston is dead. The pop icon was in the midst of planning a career comeback. She recently completed work on a big screen remake of the 70s-cult film Sparkle, alongside ex-American Idol Jordin Sparks and Voice judge Cee-Lo Green. But there have also been recent reports of serious financial trouble and a deadly case of emphysema. She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of...

The Reggae Tribute Honoring The Birth Anniversary of Bob Marley Nefertiti and the nefTUNES • Ken J. Martin • Aja Ray Bethany Embry • Justa Sol • Queen Nef A Festive CCCELEBRATION honoring the music and spirit of Bob Marley featuring live performances along with DJ, Dinner, Dancing, and exceptional drinks… The Birth Anniversary of Bob Marley … Drink Special: $5.75 The Lion Heart: Sky Ginger Vodka and Ginger Ale. A crisp refresher with just the right amount of sweetness. Bob Marley: A fusion Rums of layered in a colorful red, gold, green display honoring the Rastafarian...

Pangea’s Meet & Greets were two gatherings last year that were geared towards a few of us getting to know each other better with the hopes and intentions of creating works together. After all, Pangea’s Garden is a network of individuals with an appreciation for afrosensual culture and beauty. And all of us, with our varying perspectives came together a couple of times to celebrate that. But how do you do that? How do you celebrate that? I am trying not to be self-indulgent here, but I am an artist, a photographer and a graphic designer. So I have various ways of expressing my ideas,...

By Makeda Voletta This is a 12 month calendar featuring a collection of fine art collaborations between myself and a variety of amazing photographers. All of the images are raw. No touch ups. I seek to bring the wisdom of the Dark Moon Goddess, the Sun Goddess, Bee Priestesses, and all of the Powerful Amazons who come before me. I walk with the power of my ancestors. It’s all about being true and free. Nothing else matters at the end of the day. Featured Photographers: Jan – Ondre Hunt, Philly Feb – Ron Ceasar, Washington, DC/Baltimore March – Andy C. and Irina Sarnetskaya,...

SirReal Photography presents Signature: blax·ploi·ta·tion A genre of American film of the 1970s featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having antiestablishment plots, frequently criticized for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence. Gordon Parks described his blaxploitation projects as “a picture people go to see because they want to see the black guy winning.”  Being a late 80’s baby, I always found it quite difficult to understand the Black community’s attraction to blaxploitation films let alone the term.  But growing as a Black artist has...